Archive for the ‘Stress’ Category
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
It’s no secret or surprise that stress can rear its head when it comes to couples and individuals facing fertility treatments. In fact, a recent report from the UK suggests that more than three quarters of those experiencing infertility or fertility issues rate their stress level as the highest they’ve ever had in their lives.
Again, this isn’t a shocking revelation; however, it does give pause as to how men and women going through fertility treatments can better cope with their situations.
Beyond the usual suggestions to relax, put the issue into perspective and eat well, we at the Reproductive Science Institute (located in Wyomissing and Chesterbrook, PA) have some other ideas as to how you can minimize the stress that can be attributed to dealing with fertility concerns:
1. Talk about your feelings with a trained professional. It’s never a good idea to hold in your emotions, especially when you’re undergoing a potentially life-changing experience. Whether you speak with a counselor, member of the clergy or a psychiatrist, it’s essential that you discuss what you’re feeling inside rather than allowing it to build.
2. Gather information and understand what’s happening… but try not to obsess. It’s always good to understand what’s about to happen; but sometimes, too much information can be a very bad thing for couples and individuals entering into fertility treatments. If you become too engulfed in data, you may unnecessarily increase your stress levels.
3. Be open and honest with your fertility specialist. Finally, it’s essential for you (and your partner, if applicable) to be honest with your fertility specialist. If something feels amiss or you have concerns, speak up. You’ll get your questions answered, and that will seriously help you automatically lower your stress levels.
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Tags: Chesterbrook Pa, Clergy, Counselor, Couples, Dr. Hearns, Dr. Munabi, emotions, Feelings, Fertility Concerns, Fertility Issues, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Infertility, Men And Women, Perspective, Philadelphia Area, Psychiatrist, Reproductive Science Institute, Shocking Revelation, Stress Level, Stress Levels, Stress Reduction, Three Quarters, Wyomissing Pa
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Monday, May 16th, 2011
Recently, a rash of articles discussing the way stress negatively affects fertility treatment outcomes found their way across the Internet. While the topic is always medically fascinating (e.g., the way that stress causes our bodies to go into “survival” mode and shut down non-critical functions), it beckons the real question:
If this is true, what can we do about the core problem – STRESS?
There are numerous ways to deal with stress, whether or not you’re undergoing fertility treatments. And there is no “right” or “wrong” way (as long as what you’re doing is emotionally and physically healthy, that is.) You simply have to try different techniques until you find those that work for you.
In the past, we’ve found that some excellent stress relievers for women and men undergoing fertility treatments include:
- Taking up moderate physical activity. (Please speak with your primary care physician and fertility specialist to ensure you’re not overexerting yourself.)
- Switching to a healthier, more nutritious diet.
- Taking breaks to do something you love – watching a movie, going to the spa, window shopping, etc.
- Spending time with friends and/or family.
- Taking “mini vacations” during weekends.
- Getting massages on a consistent basis.
- Volunteering at a local nonprofit. (Doing something for others always helps!)
- Cleaning the house. (Yes, this can be a stress reliever for some folks!)
- Reading and/or journaling for a few moments every day.
- Attending religious services periodically (even if you’re not a member of the church or organization.)
- Turning off the Internet and TV after a certain point each evening to spend time together doing something quiet and fun.
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Tags: Abraham Munabi, Care Physician, Consistent Basis, Core Problem, Critical Functions, Dr. Munabi, Facebook, fertility specialist, Fertility Treatment, Fertility Treatments, Mini Vacations, Moderate Physical Activity, Nutritious Diet, Religious Services, Reproductive Science Institute, Rsi, Spa Window, Stress Reliever, Stress Relievers, Survival Mode, Treatment Outcomes, Twitter, Ways To Deal With Stress, Window Shopping
Posted in Fertility Treatments, Stress | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Infertility can be physically uncomfortable, especially if it’s associated with conditions like endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). But it can be equally painful in a psychological way.
Below, we’ll look at some of the common causes of psychological pain as it is related to infertility as well as how to combat that pain.
Common Causes of Emotional Discomfort Regarding Infertility
- Feeling “guilty”.
- Being pressured to “just relax”.
- Being around people who are able to easily conceive.
- Being asked about having a child.
- Being treated differently by a spouse or loved one.
- Dealing with financial concerns about fertility treatments.
- Handling the loss of miscarriages.
Ways to Deal with Infertility from a Psychological Perspective
- Talk to a therapist or counselor about your problems.
- Join a support group of other women/men in similar situations.
- Don’t define your life by your ability to naturally conceive.
- Only talk about your infertility when YOU want to talk about it.
- Look into options as far as fertility treatments are concerned.
- Take antidepressants (if indicated by a physician.)
- Eat right and exercise regularly.
- Treat yourself well and not as a “victim”.
- Write about your experiences in a personal journal (or even an anonymous blog.)
- Read other women and men’s experiences with infertility.
Don’t ignore your feelings or they will well up and spill over. Instead, acknowledge your emotional responses to infertility and do everything in your power to manage those responses.
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Tags: Antidepressants, Counselor, Emotional Discomfort, Emotional Responses, Endometriosis, Experiences, Feelings, Fertility Treatments, Financial Concerns, Infertility, Miscarriages, Pcos Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Personal Journal, Psychological Pain, Psychological Perspective, Psychological Way, Support Group, Women And Men, Women Men
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Monday, October 12th, 2009
In the October 12th edition of LA Times, Shari Roan writes about how stress or worrying can affect IVF success. The article states: ”A study in the October issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility found that women who “let go” of their worries about becoming pregnant during in vitro fertilization treatment were more likely to become pregnant.
The study examined 88 women as they went through IVF treatment. The women’s emotional coping strategies were measured. For example, researchers tried to determine how much the women thought about or worried about the outcome of their treatments and how much they felt they needed to persevere. “Letting go” was defined as being emotionally disengaged from the process and distracting oneself from the treatment.
Of the 88 women, 21 became pregnant. But those who had the highest scores reflecting a “letting go” attitude were 88% more likely to become pregnant compared with women who tended to worry and ruminate about the treatment.” You can read the entire article by clicking here.
It is estimated that one out of every six couples in the United States is coping with infertility issues. At RSI, we understand that the mere thought of not being able to have children can be emotionally taxing and may even make many people feel something is wrong with them.
That’s why we’ve developed this free report: Emotional Effects of Infertility. When you discover ways to cope with the emotional effects of infertility, you will reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Download your copy of this report http://www.rsiinfertility.com/freereports.html
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Tags: anxiety, Attitude, Coping Strategies, Coping With Infertility, Couples, Emotional Effects, Fall Newsletter, Feelings, Fertility And Sterility, Infertility, Infertility Issues, La Times, Miracles, Pregnant, Pregnant Women, Reduce Stress, Rsi, Shari Roan, Stress, United States, Vitro Fertilization, Worries
Posted in female infertility, Fertility Issues In the News, Health and Nutrition, Stress | No Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
For individuals and couples dealing with the world of infertility, the experience can be daunting, if not downright confusing. Unfortunately, many well-meaning friends, family members, colleagues and, yes, even strangers are quick to give advice, even if it’s not desired.
In the end, it’s important that every person involved in the fertility process make the right decision for their particular situation. And the best way to do that is to carefully choose a fertility clinic with professionals who can help answer questions and consistently offer focused, individualized guidance.
If you’ve been having trouble knowing which are the right fertility choices for you, be certain to keep the following facts in mind:
- Although others may claim to have the “answers”, only you know what is right. Again, this is where the team members at your fertility clinic will be able to assist. For instance, if IVF isn’t an option you want to pursue, don’t allow a co-worker to talk you into it.
- One size does not fit all. Sure, your sister-in-law had an amazing experience with surrogacy. But if you aren’t interested in pursuing this measure of becoming a parent, you don’t have to be pushed into even talking about it.
- You are the one who has to live with your decisions. No one else can live your life; therefore, you have to take this into consideration when you’re making fertility choices.
By keeping a narrow focus on what is right for you and your partner (if applicable), you’ll be able to get through the fertility/infertility process with decreased amounts of stress. Good luck!
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Tags: fertility choices, fertility clinic, fertility process, Infertility, IVF, surrogacy
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
Couples dealing with infertility issues often underestimate the effects of stress on their relationships. Even partners with a strong, “we’re in it together” attitude can experience periods of anxiety as a result of their inability to conceive.
If you’re in a relationship and you’ve been unable to get pregnant, it’s critical not to allow infertility to ruin your bond.
(As an interesting side note, some studies have suggested that the stress of infertility can be an enormous contributing factor to the infertility itself, a kind of “Catch-22″ scenario.)
Below are three ways for you and your significant other to get through your infertility issues:
1. Don’t make infertility the “elephant under the rug” no one talks about. Some couples tiptoe around the issue of infertility, all the while boiling below the surface. Instead, acknowledge the problem and move forward as a team.
2. Don’t accuse one another. Infertility isn’t anyone’s fault; consequently, if your partner is infertile, it is unacceptable to treat him or her badly. Period.
3. Don’t define yourselves by your infertility. The fact that you are having difficulty conceiving does not mean you are any less of a couple or any less of individuals. Infertility is only one aspect of your relationship, not your entire relationship.
Tags: inability to conceive, infertile, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Stress, unable to get pregnant
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Tied in knots because of stress?
If you’re stressed out because you’re not able to conceive, that stress may actually be contributing to your fertility issues.
So says a recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, as reported by MyFOX in Chattanooga, TN.
A recently-released abstract from the study notes that:
“The subjective experience of stress leads to reproductive dysfunction in many species, including rodents and humans. Stress effects on reproduction result from multilevel interactions between the hormonal stress response system, i.e., the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and the hormonal reproductive system, i.e., the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis.”
Many individuals and couples who have experienced infertility are not strangers to the notion that stress that can contribute to infertility.
However, it’s important to remember that the majority of infertility issues cannot be solved by relaxation. That’s why working with a knowledgeable team of reproductive science professionals is always recommended for men and women who have been unable to conceive naturally.
Tags: Chattanooga Tn, Fertility Issues, Fertility Problems, Hpa Axis, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Knots, Knowledgeable Team, Myfox, Relaxation, Reproductive Dysfunction, Reproductive Science, Reproductive System, Response System, Rodents, Science Professionals, Stress Effects, Stress Response, Subjective Experience, University Berkeley, University Of California, University Of California Berkeley
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